Student-athletes make up roughly a third of the student body. Numerous athletes feel devoted pride for their sport, a passion and willingness to give not only their bodies, but their minds and hearts. However, the outcomes do not always measure up with the efforts put in. With the student-athlete role, many challenges arise.

Junior basketball player Chad Simmons mentioned a mixture of balance and resilience when he referred to athletes, more specifically about his basketball team. “As a group, we must continue to work and push forward, no matter the hardships that we endure on and off the court,” Simmons said. This idea of resilience despite hardship resonated with several other players and athletes.

David King, EMU’s athlete director, noted some natural challenges that come with being a D3 athlete. Dave said that when given the opportunity, he encourages both students and staff to bridge the gap between the playing field and classroom. “We have a very supportive faculty and staff here at EMU,” King said. However, he recognizes and understands the friction that comes with stereotyping and social stigmas.

“The social divide at EMU has become toxic and shadow-like,” said junior Ivan Harris, a track athlete. Several athletes also expressed frustration due to cultural and racial misunderstandings.

“I’m seen as intimidating,” junior basketball player Mark Loving said. “Professors and students seem to write us off before they get to know us. It’s frustrating, because how do you build relationships with people that see you only as a jock?” Loving said.

Many athletes echoed the feelings Loving expressed. When asked specifically about their personal performance in the classroom, they shared about the struggle and effort certain courses require. Junior Xavier McCants mentioned how often he must learn outside the classroom while in season. “I have to make an honest effort in order to catch up on lessons that I miss because of games,” McCants said.

Athletes across the board expressed that the athletic department and staff sometimes give off mixed signals when they set academic studies as second priority to their practices and competitions. The students feel left to the devices of coaches, who tend not to academically challenge athletes beyond the playing field or court. Athletes yearn for a deliberate institutional effort in order to help them succeed as well as help them set realistic goals that transcend the playing fields.